Be there. Our picks for a week's worth of fun.

Sum Sum Sum Sum Summertime

June 19, 1998|By Karen Stoner.

Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year with (one hopes) the lengthiest span of sunshine. This year it falls on Sunday, and to mark the occasion a lot of weekend activity will make for a most sunny disposition:

- Ann Sather Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont Ave., will celebrate Scandinavian-style, indoors and outdoors, with a Summer Solstice Smorgasbord & Fish Boil from 4-9 p.m. Friday. A meal including fresh boiled whitefish, dill potatoes, strawberry pie and other Swedish delectables will be offered for $15.95, $8.95 for children 12 and under (call 773-348-8427 for reservations). The Steve Reed Jazz Trio will perform outside from 6-8 p.m., and a 17-member Swedish dance troupe from The Varblomman Children's Club will entertain upstairs in the restaurant from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 773-348-2378.

- A great way to enjoy a summer's day is with the downtown "Art on the Walk" Street Festival (see photos) as music, entertainment and 1,600 square feet of artwork take over the St. James Episcopal Cathedral Plaza, 65 E. Huron St., 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free. 312-294-0077.

- For 24 hours, 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday, the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., will sponsor its 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration with a teen arts festival, gospel breakfast, music, dance and a whole lot of family activities. The event will kick off with the opening of the Chuck Close exhibition, a large-scale exhibit of large-scale portraits. The Robert Cornelius Seven band and Poi Dog Pondering members will begin playing at sunset. $5 buys a 24-hour admission for both the museum and the entertainment; MCA members get in free and so do children 12 and under. 312-280-2660.

- The Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Rd., South Barrington, is having a free family event at noon Sunday celebrating the sun's role in fueling life on Earth. 847-428-OWLS.

- Also on Sunday, WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling will be reporting from Alaska, the state that should have the most hours of sunlight. After his newscast, you can chat live with him about the weather at 10 p.m. on a Digital City Chicago Chat on America Online (AOL Keyword: Chicago Chat).